whimper

a low weak cry that a person or an animal makes when they are hurt, frightened or sadThe puppy gave a little whimper of fear.She let out a whimper of pain.The animal gave a pathetic little whimper.(figurative)The whole affair ended less with a bang than with a whimper (= in a way that was not impressive).Word Originearly 16th cent.: from dialect whimp‘to whimper’, of imitative origin.